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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette watches players warm up during before an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2017. Fournette was arrested today for driving with a suspended license and released a short time later. Fournette paid a $1,508 bond and was freed after spending less than 30 minutes in the Duval County Jail, according to jail records.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. >> Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was arrested today for driving with a suspended license and released a short time later.
Fournette paid a $1,508 bond and was freed after spending less than 30 minutes in the Duval County Jail, according to jail records.
His license was suspended last month after he failed to pay or protest a speeding ticket, court records show. Fournette was cited on Nov. 17, 2018, in nearby Neptune Beach for driving 37 mph in a 25 mph zone.
The Jaguars said in a statement they “are aware of the situation involving Leonard Fournette and are continuing to gather more information. No further comment will be provided at this time.”
It’s the latest issue for Fournette, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft who was injured, suspended and on the bench in crunch time last season. He also was fined, criticized and admittedly not in ideal shape late in the year.
Most telling, the Jaguars voided the remaining guarantees in Fournette’s four-year rookie contract worth $27.1 million. The team made the move following Fournette’s weeklong suspension in late November for instigating a fight in Buffalo.
Fournette has challenged the decision, which could cost him up to $7.1 million. The one-week suspension already cost him nearly $100,000 in salary.
Fournette also drew the team’s ire when he and fellow running back T.J. Yeldon spent most of the season finale — a 20-3 loss at Houston — on the bench and disengaged from coaches and teammates.
Personnel chief Tom Coughlin ripped both players for being “disrespectful” and “selfish.”
Fournette had a lengthy meeting with Coughlin and coach Doug Marrone after the season in hopes of clearing the air and starting anew.
“I have full confidence in him,” Coughlin said last month. “He does have some things he’s got to prove when he comes back about his preparation, but he’s a young, young player. He loves football, had an outstanding year, had a very disappointing year. We want him to be a great player and I think he’s in the same mindset.”
Fournette has missed 11 games in two seasons because of injuries and suspensions. The former LSU star ran for 439 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season after running for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie.
Fournette had been working out in Wyoming with LSU’s former LSU strength and conditioning coordinator.
He likely returned to Jacksonville in time for the team’s offseason conditioning program, which begins Monday.
The Jags have revamped their running backs room in hopes of helping Fournette. They fired position coach Tyrone Wheatley, released running back Carlos Hyde and let Yeldon and Corey Grant leave in free agency. They hired 64-year-old Terry Robiskie, who, like Fournette, was born and raised in New Orleans and attended LSU, as running backs coach. They also signed veteran Alfred Blue (another LSU alum) to be Fournette’s backup.
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